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We urge members of the two major parties to take part in the caucuses tonight, to help provide vigorous debate on the issues facing Utah.
In the caucuses, members of each party meet at about 7 p.m. at neighborhood locations to discuss the issues and pick delegates for the parties' county and state conventions. At the state conventions, any candidate who gets 60 percent of the vote automatically gets the nomination, skipping the primary and going straight ahead to the fall ballot. If no candidate gets 60 percent of the primary vote, the two top vote-getters face off in a June primary. Either way, the delegates can play a big role in deciding who will be on the ballot in November. Caucuses therefore provide a special venue for voters to make their voices heard -- literally. Some observers liken caucuses to traditional town meetings, providing a public forum for neighbors to gather, discuss the issues and act. Critics decry the caucuses as giving too much weight to a party's most intensely interested and partisan members. After all, wishy-washy members aren't likely to spend a weekday night discussing issues and candidates. But we regularly hear cries that citizens ought to be more involved in politics. Why then lament enthusiasm -- any enthusiasm at all? A growing number of voters seem to like the idea of caucuses. The meetings, once held mostly in homes, have drawn so many people that most are now held in schools or other public facilities. This suggests that the caucuses are sparking interest among voters. Also, it seems to us that a party's most committed supporters can play an effective role by pushing parties to focus on their core values. Look at it this way: Critics often complain in November that candidates Tweedledum and Tweedledee reflect the same bland, middle-of-the road positions. The caucuses, by giving an important role to energized members of the parties, can help hone what each party stands for. The caucuses might be a good place for a party to confront unpleasant realities: Talking face-to-face with neighbors can provide information no TV ad or politician's speech can offer. But some Republicans worry about wolves in sheep's clothing -- or, rather, Democrats in GOP clothing. Some Republicans say that teacher union supporters are infiltrating the caucuses for the sole purpose of scuttling candidates skeptical of the union and who may have promoted private school vouchers, while backing more nave politicians who may be susceptible to the organized labor's blandishments. We pass no judgement here on whether such tactics are widespread. Just the opposite. We welcome all participation in the caucus process, so politicos beware. After all, a lively exchange of ideas is what they're all about -- Republican or Democrat. By the way, anyone can attend the Republican caucuses, but there's a catch. If you're registered in another party, you can listen but you can't participate; if you're unaffiliated you can participate but you can't be a Republican delegate. Anyone may also attend the Democratic caucuses. To find out where your party caucus will be held, go online to the state Democratic Party's Web site, www.utdemocrats.org. For Utah County Republican caucuses, go to www.utahgop.org.
Upcoming events: • April 26, Utah County Republican nominating convention, Orem High School. • May 3, Democratic county convention, Dixon Middle School, Provo. • May 9-10, Democratic state convention, Salt Lake City. • May 10, state GOP nominating convention, UVSC, Orem. • June 24, statewide primary election. |
